February 10, 2026
Who sniffed the Wi‑Fi?
Show HN: I built a macOS tool for network engineers – it's called NetViews
NetViews drops on Mac: Wi‑Fi fixer thrills pros, App Store snub sparks debate
TLDR: NetViews, a renamed all‑in‑one Wi‑Fi and network tool for Mac with a 7‑day free trial, promises scanning, logging, and easy troubleshooting. Commenters praised the long‑needed utility but clashed over trust—closed source and no App Store listing—while one user hit a trial lock and others asked for help picking home Wi‑Fi channels.
Formerly called PingStalker, NetViews just crashed the party with an all‑in‑one Mac app for network and Wi‑Fi sleuthing — think device scans, live ping watches, Cloudflare‑powered speed tests, and even turning your Mac into a Wi‑Fi sniffer that can open Wireshark for you. It logs the “chatter” too — things like devices announcing themselves (ARP) and your router handing out addresses (DHCP) — and wraps it all in a clean interface. There’s a 7‑day free trial and a download link, so what’s the catch?
Cue the comments. The hype crew is loud: one user cheered, “Excellent tool,” another said macOS has needed this for ages. But the plot twist: licensing and trust. A top‑voted take side‑eyed the closed source approach and asked why it isn’t on the Mac App Store, calling that combo a dealbreaker. Another user face‑planted into a trial lockout message — instant frustration fodder. Meanwhile, home users popped in with real‑world asks like, “Can this help me pick the best Wi‑Fi channel in my crowded apartment?”
And yes, the rename from PingStalker to NetViews didn’t escape the crowd — a little “stalker no more” wink helped lighten the mood. Bottom line: power users are intrigued by the feature buffet; skeptics want App Store convenience or open source transparency. The app is here; the trust battle is on.
Key Points
- •NetViews rebrands from PingStalker and targets macOS as a comprehensive network and Wi‑Fi diagnostic tool.
- •Core features include fast discovery/scanning, continuous monitoring/logging, and deep Wi‑Fi insights via monitor mode.
- •Highlights include live ping monitoring, Cloudflare-powered speed tests, interface details, and wireless analysis.
- •Utilities provided include a CIDR-based subnet calculator and an offline OUI database for MAC vendor lookup.
- •Network logging detects events such as ARP/DHCP activity, LLDP/CDP neighbors, trunk port VLAN exposure, and broadcast floods; a 7-day free trial is offered with no credit card required.